Creating warmth: The effect of climate change perception and political trust on the willingness to adopt energy efficient technologies.

Abstract

The adoption of energy efficient technologies (EETs) is becoming more important for limiting the use of natural gas. This study looks at the effects of climate change perception and political trust among homeowners on their willingness to adopt two types of EETs. Two datasets were used in this study. First, a dataset from the LISS panel regarding boiler replacements (N = 1156) was used to represent the Dutch population. Next, a survey was sent out in two neighbourhoods in Haarlem using identical questions that were asked to the LISS panel with one exception. We created a proxy scale to measure the willingness to adopt insulation measures rather than natural gas-free boiler replacements. This survey was sent out via mail. Fieldwork was also conducted by visiting these neighbourhoods and speaking with residents who were part of the population. This led to N = 282 respondents used for the regression analysis. For the LISS dataset significant effects were found for climate change perception and political trust on the willingness to adopt EETs. However, no significant effect was found for political trust functioning as a moderator for the effect of climate change perception on the willingness to adopt EETs. For Haarlem, no significant effects of political trust or climate change perception was found. Results were therefore mixed regarding the effect of political trust and climate change perception on the willingness to adopt EETs. These mixed results could be due to four reasons. An actual existing difference within the populations, a difference due to time and place, a difference due to the sample size or a difference due to the difference in type of EET measured. Policy advice includes noting that the results show the importance of local data to create effective policy, instead of relying only on national data.